Lore:Shornhelm

Shornhelm
Type	Settlement
Continent	Tamriel
Province	High Rock
Region	Rivenspire (Eyebright Feld)
Appears in	Arena, ESO

Shornhelm ca. 2E 582

Map of High Rock

"Shornhelm welcomes all who find themselves within our walls upon their journey. May good fortune smile upon thee and be merciful..." — In-game description in Arena

Shornhelm (sometimes spelled Sharnhelm) is one of the nine historical Breton kingdoms in the province of High Rock, located in the center of Rivenspire. Shornhelm was once the seat of power for the Kingdom of Rivenspire, the north-central region of High Rock and it was aptly ruled by the Riven-King. If no monarch is present, then the regency council, the Council of the North takes over. It is a triumvirate of the kingdom's three major houses, Dorell, Montclair, and Tamrith. The city acquired the epithet of the "Crown City of the North" for its status.

Layout and Geography

Shornhelm Chapel

The Fevered Mews

Shornhelm is located in the tumultuous landscape of the Kurallian Mountains in north High Rock, which is known for its rough, tricky terrain and oppressive environment, one that many people find hard to survive in. Even so, the city is found in the center of a varied kingdom, between the narrow canyons and basins in the west, the windswept moors of the east, and the nearby Darguard Ridge.

Shornhelm itself is surrounded by flinty crags and hills that contain ruined towers from a bygone era of conflict, such as the Traitor's Tor that overlooks the city from the east, or even the old ruins south of it. In the mountains behind Shornhelm is a ravine called the Fevered Mews, which have been used by the city to quarantine those infected with a diseases and the plague. It also contains a series of caves and an ancient ruin found deeper in the ravine.

The city is built on a hill that overlooks the entire central region and it even boasts a strong defensive parameter of high walls and watchtowers. Shornhelm is split between two districts, the lower city where the common folk dwell and trade with one another, as well as the upper city, where the nobility live. Each of the noble houses has a manor in the district, as well as the local barracks and even the local wayshrine. The city's substructure is a series of interconnected cisterns that connect to each of the city's water wells, like a honeycomb of pocketed caches. Some of them have leaked into each other after years of exposure and their shoddy craftsmanship. The one that distributes the most water is sometimes called the master source, that bridges an underground river to the rest of the system. The sewers also serve as the city's outlaws refuges, and its were many noble families flock toward after the death of King Ranser. Shornhelm is neighbored by several settlements, including Markwasten Moor to the southeast, Old Gate to the northeast, and White Haven to the west.

Notable Locales

Chapel of the Divines The Fevered Mews Dorell Manor Kurallian Mountains

Lower City District Montclair Manor Shornhelm Castle

Shornhelm Sewers Shornhelm Wayshrine Upper City District

History

Shornhelm's Early History

Spenard's throne of the Riven King

The Fevered Mews

The Bretons of the Shornhelm heights and nearby Markwasten Moor have a long and storied history that dates back to ancient times, such as the Trammeling of the Giants in legend, and the Purge of the Wyrd-Hags in the Year of Sun's Death (1E 668). The Bretons of Shornhelm and even lancers from Oldgate were present in the Battle of Glenumbria Moors in 1E 480, in an event remembered as the Charge of the Montclair Knights (often erroneously called the Charge of the Shornhelm Knights).

In the mid-fifth century of the First Era, Shornhelm was ruled by House Spenard, a despotic dynasty that lasted for one hundred and eighty years, starting from King Frestrien Spenard I all the way to King Frestrien Spenard VI. And while there have been many tyrant kings in Rivenspire, none lived up to the Spenard's reign. Their territory was always in a perpetual state of famine and one of the vassal clans, House Aurmine patronized the notorious knightly order, the Knights of the Pale Order. They were later dissolved by House Dorell and they faded away in the annals of history. Amalien of the University of Gwylim claimed that each of the six kings were one person and that Frestrien Spenard was a vampire. Coincidentally, the vassal-clans were also accused of being vampires back in their time.

Shornhelm and the rest of Rivenspire were hit greatly by the Thrassian Plague in 1E 2260, and while most of the population was affected by the pandemic, the noble and merchant class of Shornhelm quarantined themselves in the Fevered Mews. They eventually emerged from the caves after over five months, only to find the entire kingdom virtually de-populated. Shornhelm came under the control of House Dorell by the twenty-fourth century of the First Era and held the kingdom for many generations. Their control had cemented their place in the kingdom's upper echelon, where they maintain their position to this day.

In 2E 4, the Akaviri Potentate, Versidue-Shaie placed specially trained wolves in Shornhelm which caused a panic in the city, according to Mirannah of Gwylim. The region of Orsinium was sanctioned as an official Imperial Province under the Akaviri Potentate, at the time ruled by Savirien-Chorak. By with his death in 2E 431, the Bretons of Shornhelm took up their arms and laid waste to the province.

Shornhelm in the Post-Reman Era

By the Second Era, Shornhelm had been ruled by House Branquette, and one of the most well-known monarchs was its twenty-first monarch, King Hurlburt Branquette, who reigned over the Kingdom of Rivenspire between 2E 522 and 2E 546. He led his kingdom in the historical Battle of Granden Tor, which led to several years of peace in High Rock. King Hurlburt married Countess Iphilia of House Montclair and later sired his crown prince, Phylgeon. When Emperor Durcorach the Black Drake invaded High Rock, his forces were destroyed by the combined armies of High Rock's kingdoms led by Earl Emeric of Cumberland in 2E 542. King Hurlburt and Shornhelm joined together with Emeric and created the first iteration of the Daggerfall Covenant. The King died two years later, and so the royal houses of Rivenspire became divided on which son to sponsor to take the throne. The fourteen-year-old Phylgeon was championed by House Montclair for the throne, but both House Branquette and House Tamrith endorsed the older half-brother, Ranser.

The hidden maneuvering that led to the political race's conclusion is largely lost to history. Baron Phylgeon's advisors contended that he was the legitimate heir to the throne, not only because of his heritage but by quoting the famous codicil, the Bretonnick Natalitie, which declared that "Howse Mount Clayre" was the royal house of Shornhelm. The Council of the North reviewed the claim, but one day, the codicil mysteriously disappeared and Ranser came forward with a long-lost decree from the Direnni that named House Branquette the royal delegates of Rivenspire. In a narrow victory, Prince Ranser won the crown and was proclaimed King of Shornhelm, and while House Montclair wanted Phylgeon to pursue it further, he declined and preferred to stay the house Baron. Ranser later had a daughter, Princess Rayelle and when Earl Emeric was named King of Wayrest, he began to search for a bride. At first it was Princess Rayelle, but he later married Princess Maraya of Sentinel, which strengthened relations with Hammerfell.

King Ranser's Fury and Wrath

King Ranser of Shornhelm

King Emeric of Wayrest

King Ranser took great offense to Rayelle's rejection and saw fit to wage civil war with the rest of the Daggerfall Covenant in 2E 566. Ranser's War began in the spring of that year and every royal house of Rivenspire, from Montclair to Dorell, the entire kingdom, and even House Mornard of the Systres rallied behind the king. Count Phylgeon did not have faith in his brother's cause and offered to serve as a peace envoy between the two kings. While Emeric's response is lost to history, Ranser's angry answer was quite clear and well-known, and so Phylgeon relented and leased the Montclair knights to Ranser's armies.

After a failed siege against Wayrest, Shornhelm's armies fled north back to their domain, but found their capital city on fire, caused by the Orcs of Orsinium, led by King Kurog gro-Bagrakh. It was their revenge for the sack of Orsinium, some one hundred and thirty-five years earlier. Unable to retreat back home and caught between the Bretons and Orcs, Ranser took his armies east into Markwasten Moor, where the final battle commenced, as most historical documents dictated.

The Battle of Markwasten Moor ended with a resounding defeat, but what most people did not know was that Ranser and a small contingent of soldiers retreated to a nameless tor that overlooked ruined Shornhelm. Ranser had a plan to create an unstoppable army, with the help of his court magician, Reezal-Jul. Only a blood sacrifice was needed to fulfill the ritual and his plans, but he was slain by his trusted Captain, Dathieu, whose name was struck from history. His armies and confidants were now undead skeletons, and instead of pursuing Emeric's armies, remained on the tor to strengthen his position. That site was hence named the Traitor's Tor, and his soldiers remained vigilant on the tor for fifteen years after the war until Ranser was ultimately defeated and the curse was lifted.

With their defeat at the previous Battle of Markwasten Moor, not only was King Ranser presumed dead but with him was House Branquette's dynasty. The Crown of Shornhelm was also lost to the war. The Council of the North led by Baron Alard Dorell, Baron Esmark Tamrith, and Baron Wylon Montclair continued to govern over the kingdom until further notice and tried their best to reinstate order and peace across the country. There was a common sentiment across Rivenspire that the kingdom needed a king, something that Baron Montclair believed that he could accomplish. Not only was he a direct descendant of King Hurlburt through his father, Phylgeon, but he also re-discovered the Bretonnick Natalitie, which claimed that "Howse Mount Clayre" was appointed rulership of "Sharn Helm" and its contingent land. The Baron set forth his plan for the throne of Rivenspire.

Montclair's War and Shornhelm Divided

High King Emeric's summit after the battle

Shornhelm's celebration after the war

After all these years of Wylon Montclair's preparations, the Baron's plans came to fruition with his annexation of Shornhelm's upper district in 2E 582. He bribed the city guard and attacked other nobles before he took the upper district. As the Shornhelm City Guard were unable to withstand the Montclair Knights, the Daggerfall Covenant was tasked in the city's retaking, as they assembled south in Oldgate. Countess Eselde Tamrith returned to the kingdom took up the mantle of head of House Tamrith after news of her father's death a few months prior, only to find the capital city entrapped in conflict. The Countess, Baron Alard Dorell, and Count Verandis of House Ravenwatch gathered at the Chapel of the Divines, where they would devise their strategy to retake the upper city.

An Agent of the Covenant approached the meeting and was caught up in the situation. They delved into the occupied upper district and defeated the two traitorous guards that allowed Montclair's annexation. The Montclair court mage, Reezal-Jul kidnapped three nobles and attempted to flee via the Fevered Mews before he was confronted by both the Agent and Verandis Ravenwatch. Despite their best efforts, the Argonian escaped west into the Eyebright Feld but regardless, the city was liberated but the looming threat that House Montclair posed was ever-present. High King Emeric arrived after the city was freed and believed that the threat was far greater than it may have seemed. With his blessing and his forces, the pursuit for both Reezal-Jul and Baron Montclair commenced, but before the Agent could continue further, he was sent to Castle Ravenwatch by the High King, where they would assist Count Verandis and learn about Montclair's history.

After the Baron's defeat at the hands of both Count Ravenwatch and the Agent, all of Rivenspire celebrated and gathered in Shornhelm for the coronation of the kingdom's new ruler. It was decided that either Countess Eselde Tamrith or Baron Alard Dorell would be given the crown but it was the High King that chose one of them to lead. The Countess believed that she would make a thoughtful leader, one that had the people's best interest at heart. Her first act as Queen would have been to restore the people's faith and return their lives to some form of normalcy. The Baron on the other hand believed that Rivenspire needed a decisive leader and a firm hand to guide them in troubled times. His first act as King would have been to bolster the kingdom's defenses and enlist hundreds of youth to restore their strength. It is unknown who was chosen at the end of the day, but Rivenspire was finally at peace.

Shornhelm in the Third Empire

Because of the fractured state of High Rock's kingdoms, Tiber Septim was able to conquer High Rock with ease and incorporated the province into the Third Empire. Shornhelm had been the seat of power for Rivenspire kingdom since at least the First Era, and since then it has encompassed other large settlements such as Northpoint and their noble family, House Dorell. But by the late Third Era, Shornhelm and Northpoint were kingdoms in their own right, no longer tied together. While the exact borders are currently unknown, the kingdom acknowledges the Crypt of Hearts as within its borders.

With the death of Emperor Uriel Septim IV in 3E 247, his son, Andorak was disinherited from the throne by the decree of the Elder Council, and instead his cousin, Cephorus II of Skyrim ascended to the throne. For the next nine years, Andorak and his loyalists waged a minor civil war against the Empire. The Council granted Andorak and his allies the Kingdom of Shornhelm, an act that the Sage, Eraintine described as, "Tiber Septim's heart beating no more". Andorak's dynasty continued to rule there since at least the late Third Era by the tail end of the fourth century.

During the Imperial Simulacrum in the late Third Era, the city-state of Shornhelm was an active settlement. It was ruled by King Rodore and had a rivalry with North Point and Wayrest. When the War of the Bend'r-mahk broke out in 3E 397, some of High Rock's territories were absorbed by Skyrim's counts. Maps from this time depict the Crypt of Hearts, land that was part of Shornhelm under Skyrim's border. By the waning years of the Third Era, these territories barely changed hands since the conflict occurred thirty-five years ago.

Known Rulers

Castle Shornhelm

• The Spenard Dynasty (they ruled Shornhelm in the mid-fifth century of the First Era.)
  • King Frestrien Spenard I
  • King Frestrien Spenard II
  • King Frestrien Spenard III
  • King Frestrien Spenard IV
  • King Frestrien Spenard V
  • King Frestrien Spenard VI
• The Dorell Dynasty (they acquired the monarchy in the twenty-fourth century of the First Era and held it for several generations.)
• The Branquette Dynasty (Ranser was the last Branquette to rule.)
  • King Hurlburt of Branquette (2E 522 – 2E 546)
  • King Ranser (2E 546 – 2E 566)
• The Council of the North (2E 566 – 2E 582)
  • House Dorell Representative
    • Baron Alard Dorell (2E 566 – 2E 582)
  • House Montclair Representative
    • Baron Wylon Montclair (2E 566 – 2E 582)
  • House Tamrith Representative
    • Baron Esmark Tamrith (2E 566 – 2E 582)
    • Countess Eselde Tamrith (2E 582)
• Unknown Dynasty
  • King Alard Dorell or Queen Eselde Tamrith (2E 582 – 2E ?)
• Andorak's Dynasty (Andorak was the start of a dynasty that the Brief History of the Empire claims ruled into the modern-day. The most recent event mentioned in the book was Uriel VII's restoration after the Imperial Simulacrum which means his dynasty lasted to at least to this point.)
  • King Andorak (3E 256 – 3E ?)
  • King Rodore (ca. 3E 389 – 3E 399)

Culture and Society

The Order of the Crypt

Dame Marcelle Stenric; Knight of Shornhelm

For more information, see the: Culture and Society sections on the Breton page.

As stated earlier, Shornhelm is one of the eight kingdoms of High Rock and as such, it is the seat for an entire kingdom in north-central High Rock. While the scope of the kingdom is currently unknown, the ancient ruins, the Crypt of Hearts are located within its borders. By the Fourth Era, the mausoleum hosted a knightly order known as the Order of the Crypts. However, unlike other orders that swore fealty to their kingdom and operate in its border, the Order of the Crypt travels beyond its borders and fights anyone they deemed savage or unruly. Roughly in 4E 201, they traveled to the Reach in Skyrim and came to blows with both the Forsworn and the Beldama Coven.

The Kingdom of Shornhelm and the nearby Markwasten Moor have a shared and storied history that dates back to antiquity. Some of which include the Trammeling of the Giants from legends and the Purge of the Wyrd-Hags in the Year of Sun's Death. Some of these stories involve knights and nobles of Rivenspire's great houses, such as the Charge of the Shornhelm Knights in the Battle of Glenumbra Moors, or the legend of Dame Marcelle Stenric, the Knight of Shornhelm and loyal servant of House Dorell. She fought the notorious brigands loyal to House Tamrith, the Hammers of Umbrage to free the scion of Dorell, Lanciot Dorell. Dame Marcelle also defeated a troll that threatened Shornhelm. They fought for a day and a half but the knight was able to behead the monster with her sword, Dauntless. At an unspecified time, there was a Second Battle of Shornhelm.

In the city, there is a faction of powerful wizards called the Council of Three, who represent mages in Shornhelm and work in tandem with the local Mages Guild and the Guildmagister. The Council of Three met with the young Gyron Vardengroet before he became the legendary Sage. The Guildmagister, Morkledder gave them a series of challenges that he need to do to prove his qualifications as a mage, and several years later, he returned to the Council of Three with the fruits of his labor. He was recognized as a mage by his peers until he left for greater prospects at the Crystal Tower. The Bretons of Shornhelm have their own version of the Lusty Argonian Maid called "Shornhelm's Lusty Orifice" and it has circulated throughout the northern tier of Tamriel in taverns. While the nobles of Rivenspire are buried in the Sanguine Barrows southeast of Hoarfrost Downs, the Kings and Queens of Shornhelm are taken to Cath Bedraud, where they are buried with other Kings of High Rock, as per tradition.

Gallery

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  The Dead Wolf Inn

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  The Shornhelm Mages Guild

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  The Outlaws Refuge of Shornhelm

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  Shornhelm Champion (Legends)

See Also

• For game-specific information, see the Arena and Elder Scrolls Online articles.

Books

• Notes on Shornhelm's Cisterns — Notes on Shornhelm's sewer system and its master source
• Shornhelm, Crown City of the North by Lord Wylon, 39th Baron Montclair — On Shornhelm and the House of Montclair
• When I Will Come A-Courtin' — A song on King Ranser's downfall

Notes

• Arena was originally conceived as a fighting game featuring a tournament that took the player to each of Tamriel's cities to challenge different gladiatorial teams. According to a file from that stage of development left behind in the final game, Shornhelm's gladiatorial team would have been called "the War Mages".

• The War Mages of Shornhelm is another name for the Order of the Crypt, the knightly order based in the Crypt of Hearts and the Kingdom of Shornhelm at large. That is a name only used in the Reach, by the local Reachfolk.

References

Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.